24 hours after the start of the race, where are the Norman skippers?

24 hours after the start of the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe in Les Sables-d'Olonne, all the skippers are finally launched into the legendary solo offshore race around the world. The three Norman adventurers, Charlie Dalin, Louis Duc and Manuel Cousin started out in a very different way.

After only one day, it is impossible to predict the future winner of the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe when we know that the emblematic solo sailing trip around the world has always been completed in more than 74 days.

Still, 24 hours after an emotional start for the skippers, cheered by a crowd of supporters as they left the channel in Les Sables d'Olonne this Sunday, November 10, a few trends are emerging.

Starting with Charlie Dalin, who matches actions with words. The Norman skipper had announced it, he is taking part in his second edition of the Vendée Globe with the objective of winning the competition. This Monday, November 11, his Imoca Macif Santé Prévoyance was sailing in the lead off the French coast.

“He's been waiting for this one for three years. We will progress in the Bay of Biscay all day. That's it, it's gone” commented the big favorite of the event, who keeps in mind his disillusionment in 2021 (he had crossed the finish line first but the victory went to Yannick Bestaven, improved after having rescued Kévin Escoffier).

The leading trio of this 10^e edition of the Vendée Globe is currently completed by Sébastien Simon (Dubreuil group) and the Englishman Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable), respectively 11.5 nautical miles and 14.9 nautical miles behind Charlie Dalin (ranking at 10:30 a.m. this Monday, November 11).

Louis Duc in ambush

Another Norman engaged in this legendary solo round-the-world race, Louis Duc was positioned close to the leading group, at 15^e place (ranking at 10:30 a.m.).

For his first Vendée Globe, the Manche sailor, aboard his completely renovated drift boat Fives Group – Lantana environment, was rejoicing on Sunday “idyllic conditions to leave. We couldn't dream of better“.

“There, I'm still in jeans and fleece, which means that the conditions are still good. It slid properly all night. There are two or three foilers around me. It feels good to be at sea” explained, relaxed, the Manchois this Monday morning.

The beginnings seem promising for Louis Duc, who aims above all to “finish the race. It's a childhood dream“.

Worse off, Rouennais Manuel Cousin is only at 35^e place in the ranking on day 1. A more complicated start to the race for the Norman skipper, which does not mean that the navigator finished 23^e during the 2020 Vendée Globe will not be able to improve on its performance from four years ago.

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The fleet still remains rather grouped. Everything is still possible for the 40 sea adventurers taking part in the legendary race, who have been sailing at a speed of between 10 and 23 knots in the Bay of Biscay since dawn, taking advantage of a little wind.

Sailing conditions should remain mild until off Cape Finisterre, Spain, where the race should start to get tougher in the evening.

Ranking of the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe Monday November 11 at 10:30 a.m.

1. Charlie Dalin (Macif) 24,059 nautical miles from the finish
2. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dureuil) 11.5 miles from the first
3. Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) 14.9 miles from the first
4. Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq V) at 17.2 miles
5. Thomas Rettant (Vulnerable) at 18.1 miles

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15. Louis Duc (Fives Group – Lantana environment) at 25 miles
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35. Manuel Cousin (Coup de Pouce) at 48.9 miles
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40. Jingkun Xu (Singchain Team Haikou) at 60.1 miles